Last Week to Vote Early Ahead of May 19 Primary

Voters across northwest Georgia are entering the final week of early voting ahead of the May 19 primary election.

Early voting is continuing this week in Chattooga County at the Chattooga County Registrars Office, giving residents the opportunity to cast their ballots before Election Day next Tuesday.

Local election officials are encouraging voters to take advantage of early voting to avoid possible lines and scheduling conflicts on Election Day. Voters are reminded to bring a valid photo ID when voting in person.

Voters in the May 19 Primary Election must choose a Democratic, Republican, or Nonpartisan ballot. Primary elections are where political parties determine their candidates for the General Election in November.

Election officials say absentee ballots must also be returned by the close of polls on Election Day in order to be counted.

Residents who have questions about polling locations, sample ballots, or voting hours are encouraged to contact their county elections office.

Election Day voting will take place Tuesday, May 19.

Georgia State Senator Resigns To Focus On Lieutenant Governor Campaign

A Georgia state senator has stepped down from office to focus on her campaign for lieutenant governor.

Democratic Sen. Nabilah Parkes, who represented part of Gwinnett County, announced her resignation in a public statement Friday. Parkes first launched a campaign for Georgia insurance and fire safety commissioner in January before shifting to the lieutenant governor’s race on March 5.

Parkes now joins state Sen. Josh McLaurin of Sandy Springs and Richard Wright in the Democratic field for lieutenant governor. In her resignation letter to Gov. Brian Kemp, Parkes sharply criticized the Georgia Legislature, calling it “a place where good ideas go to die and where extremists continue to attack our freedoms.” Georgia’s primary election is scheduled for May 19.